What special paint and finish should I use to paint a cello?

As an artist and a musician, I am thinking of buying another cheap cello in addition to my main cello that I use for classical music. I hope to buy a relatively cheap cello to use for rock and insert a pickup into it. To add flair to it, I am thinking of possibly painting the cello with vibrant colors to make it stand out.





Here's the problem: What kind of paint do I use? I don't want the pain to damage the underlying varnish originally on the cello, and I don't want the paint to be scratchy of flaky. I want the paint to be completely permanent, and somehow be covered with some finish/varnish to smooth everything out.





So what I basically asking for is what type of paint should I use that won't damage the cello, and what finished or gloss can I use too? If anyone has experience in painting such a thing, if they could let me know how they 'primed' the cello for the paint, and any special techniques for doing something like this. Thanks!What special paint and finish should I use to paint a cello?
The varnish layer is ';slick'; and won't accept paint easily.





I would suggest giving the vanish a light sanding with some 400 grit sandpaper.





I would then suggest you mask off areas you don't want painted and prime it with a gray spray primer designed for automobiles. Let this dry for several days.





On top of the primer I'd then use a white layer of the same brand of automotive paint to provide a base for bright colors.





Follow this with automotive spray paint in whatever color you desire. As with the primer allow a couple of days between layers. Save the cans so you can touch-up nicks and scratches.





I'd then finish it off with an automotive clear coat.





Even better results could probably be had if you use a professional auto paint shop and they mixed epoxy paint for you but that is going to cost a LOT of money.





This is still going to chip if you hit something with it, that is just the nature of paint... even a car gets chips and dings.What special paint and finish should I use to paint a cello?
Hmm, well, basically anything you paint it with will damage the original varnish, and any extra layer of paint/gloss/whatever is going to negatively affect the sound. If it's going to be electric, though, this obviously doesn't matter too much.





I would re-post this on the instruments and equipment board at www.cello.org, as this very active community can help, and I am pretty sure there are others there who've done what you're thinking of.





Good luck!
You might try finding a restorer of musical instruments and talk with them or maybe a music store might have some info.But I do know that some lacquers will change the sound,had you thought of this?Sorry can't be more help.